The bikes in Streetwise's workshop come from donations. Participants refurbish them and make them roadworthy for sale. In this way, Streetwise not only tinkers with bikes, but also with opportunities.
Zamir (61) twists the spokes of a wheel a little tighter. He is homeless and works at Streetwise's bicycle workshop, a project of De Regenboog Groep. "The best moment?" he says with a twinkle in his eye. "When a customer comes to pick up his bike after I've repaired it. Then you see that someone is happy and you think: yes, I made this."
Self-confidence and structure
Workplace supervisor Koen Polder sees every day what work does to people. He himself is an avid cyclist, but at Streetwise it's not about winning. It's about what a bike can do for someone who has faced a lot of headwinds. "People get appreciation for what they do. That gives them self-confidence. At the same time, participants learn to regain structure in their day: arriving on time, working together and taking responsibility. The social aspect is also great. In the workshop, people from very different backgrounds work side by side. Here they feel part of a group. They belong somewhere. We also organize joint bike rides. On a bicycle, your world literally expands. That gives freedom. People also notice that their bodies can do more than they thought. And cycling helps to clear your head for a while."
Do something with your sports bike and help others get ahead
Do you still have a racing or sport bike, wheel set or bike parts in the shed that you don't really use anymore? Donate them to Streetwise of De Regenboog Groep. In the workshop, people like the homeless Zamir refurbish the bikes and make them ready for sale. The proceeds directly benefit the project.
Email kpolder@deregenboog.org or call 06-26414484
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Text: Nicolline van der Spek | Photography: Mila van Egmond